Hawaii >>>> an invite from 6,000 soldiers

[wacki]

Last month, Obama refused to do a military townhall for 6,000 veterans, service members, and military families at Fort Hood, Texas. That event would have taken place tonight, but Obama spokesman, Phillip Carter, said at the time Obama couldn't make it because we unfortunately had a previously scheduled commitment on the date proposed. But Obama doesn't have another event scheduled for this evening -- he's busy bodyboarding in Hawaii.

Found this via:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/30915_Obama_Snubs_US_Soldiers_Again

Quoting this:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/08/democrats_call_their_conventio.asp

NYT's on Fort Hood's statement a month ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/us/politics/12obama.html

[freakazoid]

What a (non-APS friendly words)!! 

[Perd Hapley]

Does anybody know how to find out what's on his campaign schedule for Hawaii?  Is there something more important there, than at Fort Hood?

I also note this bit from the NY Times.

Carissa Picard, managing director of the Fort Hood Presidential Town Hall Consortium, said she had suggested Aug. 11 and asked the campaign to suggest other dates if that was not convenient, but after several conversations she had not been able to work anything out.

Im having extreme difficulty getting the Obama campaign to commit to this event, and we do not understand why, said Ms. Picard, whose husband is deployed in Iraq. We made it very clear to them that if they would commit to the event, we would work with them on dates.

The organizers released details about the event in hopes that it would pressure the Obama campaign to agree to the event.

[Standing Wolf]

Im having extreme difficulty getting the Obama campaign to commit to this event, and we do not understand why, said Ms. Picard, whose husband is deployed in Iraq.

What part of he despises you don't you understand, Mrs. Picard?

[The Annoyed Man]

Not that I'm a fan of Obama (not in the least), but if he had a family vacation planned (which is what this trip to Hawaii apparently is), are we being a little bit harsh on him for not cancelling the vacation for a campaigning event?

Frankly, this may be the first thing I respect in Obama, in that he actually went on vacation with his family, and isn't using it as a campaign stop in Hawai'i.  I respect people who are willing to set work aside and actually spend time with their children.


That may be all I'll ever respect in Obama, though..........

[Ezekiel]

Pragmatism: Is he truly going to get any votes out of Ft. Hood?  No?

Why go?

[agricola]

Not that I'm a fan of Obama (not in the least), but if he had a family vacation planned (which is what this trip to Hawaii apparently is), are we being a little bit harsh on him for not cancelling the vacation for a campaigning event?

Frankly, this may be the first thing I respect in Obama, in that he actually went on vacation with his family, and isn't using it as a campaign stop in Hawai'i.  I respect people who are willing to set work aside and actually spend time with their children.


That may be all I'll ever respect in Obama, though..........

I think that would be reasonable, except that his staff apparently told something else entirely to the Fort Hood people when asked. 

[Manedwolf]

He is also continuing his vacation all the while Russia is rolling around in Georgia, whereas McCain issued a strong warning to Russia.

A preview of what his presidency would be like.

[wmenorr67]

He is also continuing his vacation all the while Russia is rolling around in Georgia, whereas McCain issued a strong warning to Russia.

A preview of what his presidency would be like.

Par for the course with the Dems.  Remember after Katrina, Ray Nagin took off on a week long cruise.  Actually was one of the better weeks we had while down there trying to unf%$k what he didn't do.

[Perd Hapley]

Pragmatism: Is he truly going to get any votes out of Ft. Hood?  No?

Why go?

This isn't like Bush declining to go to the NAACP - far from it actually.  He was invited to a town hall at our largest military base.  He wants to be their commander, when some of them are in the sand-box next year.   If he had any character at all, he would go. 

Wait.  They're always telling me that the soldiers are being butchered for an illegal, unjust, un-win-able war in Iraq.  Why wouldn't they vote for the Democrat?

Frankly, this may be the first thing I respect in Obama, in that he actually went on vacation with his family, and isn't using it as a campaign stop in Hawai'i.  I respect people who are willing to set work aside and actually spend time with their children. 

I think that would be reasonable, except that his staff apparently told something else entirely to the Fort Hood people when asked. 

And why wouldn't his people suggest an alternate date, when the organizers said they would be flexible?